Schizophrenia

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Language

Thought

Perception

Affect

Sense of self

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Positive Symptoms

Those that appear to reflect an excess or distortion of normal functions.

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Positive Symptoms

Delusions. Those where the patient thinks he is being followed or watched are common; also the belief that people on TV, radio are directing special messages to him/her.

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Positive Symptoms

Hallucinations. Distortions or exaggerations of perception in any of the senses.

Often they hear voices within their own thoughts followed by visual hallucinations.

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Positive Symptoms

Disorganized thinking/speech.

AKA loose associations; speech is tangential, loosely associated or incoherent enough to impair communication.

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Positive Symptom

Grossly disorganized behavior.

Difficulty in goal directed behavior (ADLs), unpredictable agitation or silliness, social disinhibition, or bizarre behavior.

There is a purposelessness to behavior.

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Positive Symptom

Catatonic behavior.

Marked decrease in reaction to immediate environment, sometimes just unaware of surroundings, rigid or bizarre postures, aimless motor activity.

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Other Positive Symptoms

Inappropriate response to stimuli

Unusual motor behavior (pacing, rocking)

Depersonalization

Derealization

Somatic preoccupations

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Summary of Positive Symptoms

Delusions

Hallucinations

Disorganized thinking

Disorganized behavior

Catatonic behavior

Inappropriate responses

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FYI: Positive Symptoms

Positive symptoms are those that have a positive reaction from some treatment.

In other words, positive symptoms respond to treatment.

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Negative Symptoms

Those that appear to reflect a diminution or loss of normal functions.

May be difficult to evaluate because they are not as grossly abnormal as positive symptoms.

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